Brunei Royal Wedding 2015: Royal Bersanding Ceremony

THE ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony for the royal couple, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah, took place amid pomp and pageantry, steeped in royal traditions, at the lavishly decorated Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana or royal throne hall of Istana Nurul Iman yesterday.

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha attended the glittering ceremony that was also attended by over 5,000 guests, marking the climax of more than a week of royal wedding ceremonies.

The ceremony, which was conducted in full royal tradition, began with four Awang-Awang lighting a set of candles called the ‘Dian Empat’, before another pair of Awang-Awang placed the two-piece ‘Kasur Namat’ consisting of a yellow mattress and silk mat at the centre of the candles.

His Majesty then consented for the ceremony to commence upon receiving the message from YAM Pengiran Lela Cheteria Sahibun Najabah Pengiran Anak Haji Abdul Aziz that it was ready to begin.

His Majesty places His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik’s right hand on the head of YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah during the ‘Menapak Tangan’

His Majesty the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam; Her Majesty Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Hajah Saleha; His Royal Highness Prince Haji Al-Muhtadee Billah, the Crown Prince and Senior Minister at the Prime Minister’s Office, and Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah; and other members of the royal family in a group picture after the ‘Istiadat Bersanding Pengantin Diraja’ ceremony for the royal couple, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik and YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah

The royal bride was followed by a group of female ‘Pahawai’ and those carrying the Royal Regalia consisting of ‘Puan’, ‘Kabok and Panastan’, ‘Tarian’, ‘Kiap’, ‘Chupu’, ‘Pasigupan’, and ‘Kaskol’ with the ‘Dian 16’ carried by 16 Dayang-Dayang.

Forty men carrying the ‘Sinipit’, ‘Yang Mulia Juru Bini’, ‘Hulubalang Diraja’ carrying the ‘Pemuras’ and ‘Karga’, ‘Hulubalang Asgar’ carrying ‘Kalasak’ and ‘Kampalan’, ‘Awang-Awang’ carrying four ‘Dian Bunga’, ‘Nasi Tumpang’ and ‘Dian Tunggal’ and two ‘Kanak-Kanak Pahawai Laki-Laki’ carrying ‘Kiap’ and ‘Pasigupan’ as well as ‘Perhiasan Empat’ of His Royal Highness and also two ‘Pengangun Diraja’ entered the Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana.

Prior to entering Balai Singgahsana Indera Buana, His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik underwent a ritual called ‘Membasuh Kaki’ (washing of the royal groom’s feet with scented water filled in a special ‘kiri’, a receptacle resembling a pitcher). This was followed by the sprinkling of yellow rice that is parried with a ‘kiap’.

His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik was led to the dias by State Mufti, Pehin Datu Seri Maharaja Dato Paduka Seri Setia (Dr) Ustaz Haji Awang Abdul Aziz bin Juned. His Majesty then led His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik to the bride seated on the royal dais and placed His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Malik’s right hand on the head of YAM Pengiran Anak Isteri Pengiran Raabi’atul ‘Adawiyyah in a ritual called the ‘Menapak Tangan’ to signify their matrimony before leading the royal groom to his seat on the royal dais.

Following this, the ‘Selawat’ for Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was called by the State Mufti as the royal groom took his place next to the royal bride accompanied by 17-cannon fire shots echoed outside the Istana Nurul Iman to mark the occasion. This was followed by the recitation of the Doa Selamat by the State Mufti.

The royal newly-weds were then ushered by His Royal Highness Prince ‘Abdul Wakeel as they left the royal throne hall.

Other royal family members in attendance included Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Masna, Ambassador-at-Large at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Nor’ain; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Umi Kalthum Al-Islam; Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Rakiah and Her Royal Highness Princess Hajah Amal Nasibah.

Comments

Incredible pictures!! This royal tradition is looking just tremendous. I have never seen this wedding tradition ever in my life but it seems to be very interesting. Thanks for the photos. I am also getting married in royal style at the popular royal wedding halls in Los Angeles. I’m so thrilled!

DESPITE first making its appearance in the Sultanate during the 1940s, Kuih Mor continues to be a household favourite today as a tea time snack or festive treat particularly during Hari Raya Aidil Fitri.

Siti Norhafizah Hj Bagol, a final year student at Universiti Brunei Darussalam who researched on Kuih Mor as part of her Brunei Traditional Industry module, said the three-ingredient sweet treat may have existed in Brunei as early as the 1940s when padi was known to have been grown to make different food items.

Over time, the cookie has also become a popular door-gift choice often handed out at Malay weddings or gatherings, said Siti Norhafizah.

Made with flour, oil and granulated sugar which have been ground into a powder, the bite-sized biscuits have a crumbly texture and are coated with powdered sugar.

The age-old technique of making Kuih Mor by hand has however changed over the course of time, with many now opt…

BY COMMAND of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam, the Prime Minister’s Office hereby announces that His Majesty has consented to the transfer and appointment of the following senior officers – Dato Paduka Haji Mohd Juanda bin Haji Abdul Rashid, Permanent Secretary (Law and Welfare) at the Prime Minister’s Office as well as the Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau and Solicitor General has been transferred to the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports as the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports; and Datin Elinda binti Haji CA Mohamed, Special Senior Duties Officer, Ministry of Home Affairs has been appointed as Permanent Secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office and Director of Anti-Corruption Bureau.